HARROW COUNCIL

Overview Are you an experienced technical accountant with a strong understanding of local authority financial accounting, balance sheet management and financial controls? London Borough of Harrow is seeking a highly skilled Senior Technical Analyst (Balance Sheet and Controls) to join the Finance Division and play a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of the Council's financial position and strengthening its financial control environment. Reporting to the Chief Accountant, you will provide specialist technical expertise across a broad range of financial accounting activities, including balance sheet management, collection fund accounting, financial governance, general ledger maintenance and statutory reporting. You will take ownership of balance sheet assets and liabilities of approximately £217 million and oversee collection fund income of approximately £255 million, ensuring robust accounting treatment, compliance with statutory regulations and the delivery of accurate and reliable financial information. The role will lead on complex balance sheet reconciliations, collection fund forecasting and monitoring, corporate control accounts, chart of accounts governance, support service charge methodologies, statutory returns and group accounting activities. You will be instrumental in identifying financial risks, resolving technical accounting issues, improving financial processes and controls, and supporting the production of the Council's Statement of Accounts. Working closely with finance colleagues, service managers, external auditors, consultants and other stakeholders, you will use your technical expertise and analytical skills to drive continuous improvement, strengthen governance arrangements and support the Council's wider transformation agenda. This is an excellent opportunity for a technically strong finance professional who enjoys solving complex problems and influencing positive change within a large and diverse local authority environment. Why join Harrow? At Harrow, we are proud to be a diverse, ambitious and resident-focused council. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where our people can thrive, develop their careers and make a meaningful difference to the communities we serve. In return, you will have the opportunity to work alongside talented professionals, contribute to important corporate priorities, support our climate ambitions and help shape the future of local government finance. If you are looking for a rewarding role where your expertise will be valued and your contribution recognised, we would love to hear from you. About You We are seeking a technically capable finance professional with a strong understanding of financial accounting, balance sheet management and financial controls, ideally gained within local government or a similarly complex public sector environment. The successful candidate will be confident in interpreting statutory accounting requirements, applying sound professional judgement to resolve complex financial issues, and ensuring high standards of governance, compliance and accuracy. They will demonstrate excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, identifying opportunities to improve processes, strengthen controls and enhance financial reporting. A strong communicator, they will be able to explain complex financial matters clearly to a range of audiences, build effective relationships across the organisation, and support the development of colleagues through technical guidance and collaborative working. They will also bring extensive experience in statutory accounting, balance sheet reconciliations, financial controls and continuous improvement, helping to drive excellence in financial management and reporting. Required Skills and Experience Professional knowledge and qualifications - AAT qualification, part-qualified CCAB qualification (or equivalent), or significant relevant experience, supported by a commitment to continuous professional development and maintaining up-to-date technical knowledge. Strong technical accounting expertise - Comprehensive understanding of local authority financial accounting, including IFRS, SeRCOP, statutory reporting requirements, Statements of Accounts preparation, Whole of Government Accounts, and statutory returns such as RO and QRO. Balance sheet and financial control experience - Extensive experience managing complex balance sheet reconciliations, control accounts, chart of accounts governance, financial control frameworks, and resolving technical accounting issues. Specialist local government finance knowledge - Experience of collection fund accounting, monitoring and forecasting, including Business Rates Retention arrangements, together with knowledge of group accounting and consolidation principles. Continuous improvement and risk management skills - Proven ability to investigate financial discrepancies, identify and mitigate risks, implement robust financial controls, and lead process improvements, automation initiatives and system enhancements. Related Documents For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/ Selection Criteria

Harrow Council is seeking a Senior Technical Analyst (Balance Sheet and Controls) to join the Finance Division and safeguard the integrity of the Council's financial position. You will provide specialist accounting expertise across balance sheet management, collection fund accounting and statutory reporting, updating governance and controls to support the Statement of Accounts. The role involves complex reconciliations and collaboration with auditors and managers.

Overview London Borough of Harrow is seeking an experienced and technically skilled Senior Technical Analyst (VAT, Grants and Transactions) to play a leading role in safeguarding the Council's financial integrity and ensuring compliance with a complex regulatory environment. Working within the Finance Division and reporting to the Chief Accountant, you will provide specialist expertise across VAT, grant accounting, statutory returns and general ledger transactions, supporting the delivery of a robust and effective technical finance function. This is a critical role with responsibility for the Council's annual VAT claims of approximately £42 million and oversight of revenue income totalling £510 million. You will lead on complex VAT and taxation matters, grant governance, control account management and statutory reporting, ensuring that the Council meets its legal obligations while maximising financial opportunities and minimising risk. The role will involve interpreting complex accounting and taxation regulations, developing financial controls, improving processes and providing authoritative advice to stakeholders across the organisation. You will act as the Council's lead technical specialist for VAT and grants, working closely with HMRC, external VAT advisors, auditors, senior finance colleagues and service managers to ensure compliance, strengthen governance and support informed decision-making. You will also play a significant role in supporting the preparation of the Council's Statement of Accounts, leading technical improvement projects, developing guidance and training, and helping to drive innovation, efficiency and continuous improvement across the finance function. Why join Harrow? At Harrow, we are proud to be a diverse, ambitious and resident-focused council. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where our people can thrive, develop their careers and make a meaningful difference to the communities we serve. In return, you will have the opportunity to work alongside talented professionals, contribute to important corporate priorities, support our climate ambitions and help shape the future of local government finance. If you are looking for a rewarding role where your expertise will be valued and your contribution recognised, we would love to hear from you. About You We are looking for a technically skilled finance professional with expertise in financial accounting, VAT, grant accounting and statutory reporting, ideally gained within local government or a complex public sector organisation. You will be confident interpreting legislation and accounting standards, providing expert advice, resolving complex issues and communicating effectively with a wide range of stakeholders. A proactive, analytical and solutions-focused approach, together with a commitment to governance, continuous improvement and excellent customer service, is essential. Key Requirements AAT qualified, part-qualified CCAB (or equivalent experience) with a commitment to continuing professional development. Strong knowledge of local authority accounting, including IFRS, SeRCOP, VAT regulations, grant accounting and statutory reporting requirements. Experience managing VAT compliance, grant governance, Statements of Accounts and statutory returns such as RO, QRO and Whole of Government Accounts. Ability to interpret complex legislation and accounting standards, provide technical advice and resolve challenging financial issues. Knowledge of financial controls, reconciliations, general ledger management and financial governance requirements. Experience implementing process improvements, strengthening controls and enhancing financial systems and reporting. Strong analytical, numerical and problem-solving skills, with advanced Excel and financial systems experience. Experience producing technical guidance, procedures and training materials, and building effective relationships with auditors, HMRC and other stakeholders. Excellent communication, stakeholder management and customer service skills, with the ability to explain complex financial matters clearly to both finance and non-finance audiences. Related Documents For more information, please refer to Role Profile/ Selection Criteria

The London Borough of Harrow is seeking a talented and enthusiastic Junior Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Officer to join its Digital Services team within the Resources & Innovation Directorate. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a passion for geography, mapping, spatial data and digital technology to develop their career in a forward thinking local authority. Reporting to the Senior GIS & Addressing Officer, you will support the development, maintenance and enhancement of

Overview The London Borough of Harrow is seeking a talented and enthusiastic Junior Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Officer to join its Digital Services team within the Resources & Innovation Directorate. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a passion for geography, mapping, spatial data and digital technology to develop their career in a forward thinking local authority. Working alongside experienced GIS professionals, you will help deliver innovative geospatial solutions that support Council services, improve decision making and make a positive difference to the lives of Harrow residents. Reporting to the Senior GIS & Addressing Officer, you will support the development, maintenance and enhancement of the Council's GIS and address data services. You will assist with spatial data analysis, map production, address management and the delivery of a wide range of GIS projects across the organisation. The role offers exposure to exciting initiatives including digital mapping, 3D modelling, drone related projects and the development of online GIS solutions. You will also provide support and guidance to GIS users across the Council, helping colleagues make effective use of spatial data and technology in their daily work. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys problem solving, working with data and using technology to deliver practical solutions. You will have the opportunity to contribute to projects that improve service delivery, support innovation and help the Council make smarter, data driven decisions. In return, Harrow offers a collaborative and supportive environment where you can develop your technical skills, broaden your experience and play a key role in shaping the future of digital services while living the Council's values of Being Courageous, Working Together and Driving Delivery. About You A degree level qualification or relevant experience in Geography, GIS or a related field. Knowledge of GIS principles, spatial data and geographic analysis. An understanding of cartographic principles and mapping techniques. Experience of using GIS software, including ESRI products such as ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. Awareness of geographic information organisations such as Ordnance Survey, GeoPlace and AGI. Good analytical skills with the ability to interpret and manage spatial and non spatial datasets. A sharp eye for spatial and non spatial data accuracy.

Overview The London Borough of Harrow is seeking a skilled and analytical Housing Systems and Data Analyst to join our Housing and Regeneration directorate. This pivotal role sits within the Housing Systems and Data team and supports the effective use, development and optimisation of housing management systems, including Civica Cx. You will play a key role in ensuring systems are configured to meet business needs, enabling efficient service delivery and a high-quality, resident-focused customer experience. Working in a hybrid environment, you will contribute to a collaborative, forward-thinking team dedicated to innovation and continuous improvement. As Housing Systems and Data Analyst, you will develop, maintain and enhance housing systems, supporting upgrades, testing and the implementation of new functionality. You will manage and assure the quality of housing data, ensuring it is accurate, secure and reliable for operational and strategic decision-making. The role will involve working closely with colleagues across Housing, IT, Finance and Business Intelligence, as well as external suppliers, to resolve technical issues, deliver system enhancements and improve reporting capabilities. You will also help promote best practice, support user training, and drive improvements in processes and data management. Harrow Council is committed to a resident-first, person-centred approach, ensuring services are responsive, inclusive and aligned with regulatory standards. You will contribute to delivering safe, sustainable homes and thriving communities. This role offers excellent opportunities for professional development, allowing you to build expertise in housing systems and data while making a meaningful impact on services that support residents across the borough. About You The Successful candidate will have: Strong experience of working with housing management systems (such as Civica Cx or similar) Good IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and database systems Experience of supporting, configuring or maintaining business systems Ability to manage and analyse data with high levels of accuracy and attention to detail Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise multiple tasks and meet deadlines Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical information to non-technical audiences Experience of delivering user support and/or training to colleagues Ability to work collaboratively with internal teams, stakeholders and external suppliers Understanding of data quality, data protection and information governance principles A proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement High levels of professionalism, integrity and commitment to confidentiality Ideally, knowledge of social housing or public sector environments and relevant regulatory frameworks Related Documents For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/ Selection Criteria

Harrow Council is seeking a Housing Systems and Data Analyst to support the Housing and Regeneration directorate. The role focuses on configuring housing management systems, including Civica Cx, and ensuring data is accurate, secure and usable for decision-making. You will work with Housing, IT, Finance and BI teams, coordinate with external suppliers, and contribute to system upgrades, testing and reporting improvements.